Criminal Investigation Final

Front 1

Modus Operandi:

Back 1

latin for “mode of operation” – investigators must look for the offender’s patters

-Includes day of week/time of day, type of property targeted, points of entry/exit, the get-away, miscellaneous idiosyncrasies (personal trademark or peculiarity)

Front 2

Psychological profiling

Back 2

a technique for identifying major personality and behavioral characteristics of an individual based upon an analysis of the crime(s) they committed – based on theory that the crime reflects the personality, most suitable for perpetrator with signs of psychopathy, profile based on probabilities and inferences

Front 3

Five steps in constructing a profile

Back 3

1. Review all police reports, crime scene photographs, lab reports, autopsy photographs
2. Conduct a crime scene visit to develop an understanding of the crime(s)
3. Examine the background and activities of the victim(s)—physical traits, occupation, lifestyle, marital status—to develop a profile of the offender
4. Determine what is probably the offender’s motivation for committing the crime(s)
5. Develop an understanding of the characteristics of other individuals who have committed similar types of crimes in the past

Front 4

seven “secondary” inputs to the crime scene profiling process that provide additional useful information

Back 4

1. National Crime Information Center (NCIC) -
wanted/missing persons, stolen property
2. National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (NLETS)
Vehicle/Operator registrations, Parole/Probation index, Sex offender registration
3. Interpol Case Tracking System (ICTS) - International criminal activity
4. Central Index System (CIS) - Immigration information
5. El Paso Intelligence Center (EPIC)
Illegal drug trafficking, alien smuggling, and weapons trafficking
6. SENTRY - federal prisoner database
7. Equifax - credit information on individuals

Front 5

geographical profiling and its usefulness in criminal investigation

Back 5

an investigative methodology that uses locations of a connected series of crimes to determine the most probable area of offender’s residence
- Usefulness in criminal investigation: human nature—creatures of habit, humans do not move “randomly” throughout their environment, humans spend time in areas they are most familiar with (their comfort zone)

Front 6

psycholinguistics and its usefulness in criminal investigation

Back 6

- Psycholinguistics: the analysis of spoken or written words to: develop information about the person responsible, associate crimes based on similarities, identify descriptions and hidden meanings
- Usefulness in criminal investigation: words and patterns in written statements are unique to individuals and reveal characteristics of them, language may reveal an individual’s geographic origin, race or ethnicity, age or gender

Front 7

crime analysis

Back 7

collection and analysis of data pertaining to criminal incidents, criminal offenders, criminal target. Looks at crime trends, crime patterns, types of offenses, types of crimes, space of crime, calls for service (incidents, arrests, clearance)

Front 8

COMPSTAT

Back 8

computer system used to identify crime patterns and manage, monitor and assess the impact of various crime control strategies

Front 9

VICAP

Back 9

nationwide computerized database operated by the FBI that is used to collect, collate, and analyze specific crimes of violence to identify similar M.O. or signature aspects of the crime

Front 10

examples of the ways the media can assist in criminal investigations

Back 10

- Tip lines—dedicated phone lines for public to report crime [Crime Stoppers, Crime Solvers, We TIP]
- Television shows—TV shows that report on unsolved cases [America’s most wanted, Unsolved Mystery]
- Special Alerts—radio, TV, and highway emergency signs [Amber alerts-possible child abductions, silver-possible missing elderly]
- Mass mailings/announcements [“have you seen me?” mailings, Milk cartons]

Front 11

potential problems associated with use of tip lines, the public and the media for crime information

Back 11

- Investigtors can become overwhelmed with info – must follow up on all leads
- Investigators can receive false info – caller wants revenge against someone
- Investigators must determine how to allocate reward money – useful information may come from several sources

Front 12

property crimes including burglary, theft, and arson.

Back 12

- Burglary: unlawful entry into a structure for the purpose of committing crime (felony) within [thefts, homicides, sexual assaults]
- Theft/Larceny: unlawful taking, carrying, or leading away property from possession of another [homes, businesses, vehicles, retail theft, credit card theft]
- Motor vehicle theft: theft or attempted theft of a motor vehicle
- Fraud: theft from another by falsely representing a fact from another in order to induce the person to surrender something of value
- Arson: willing or malicious burning or attempting to burn with or without intent to defraud, a dwelling house, public building, motor vehicle, or personal property of another

Front 13

characteristics of the typical burglary and burglar

Back 13

- More residential than non-residential
- Mostly done during the daytime
- Non-residential burglaries are more likely done at night
- Property taken: cash, weapons, jewelry, small electronics
- Majority of offenders over 18 years old, male, white

Front 14

List five reasons the clearance rate for burglary is so low

Back 14

1. Burglaries usually discovered after crime occurred
2. Burglars can usually quickly dispose of property
3. Burglaries usually have few witnesses
4. Burglaries usually provide little usable physical evidence
5. Burglaries usually leave few good leads [true with all property crimes]

Front 15

motives for burglary and how do burglars choose their targets

Back 15

- Motivation:
1. Spur of the moment: could be juvenile, addict, desperate
2. Well-planned burglary: could be professionals, selective in targets
- Choosing their targets:
- 62% own observation
- 21% know occupants

Front 16

What leads should an investigator follow to solve a burglary

Back 16

- Interviews: victims, neighbors, witnesses, informants
- Physical evidence: fingerprints, bloodstains, broken glass, tool marks, ransacking-know where valuables are?
- Stolen property: “follow the property”, sold to: friends, acquaintances, fences, pawnshops, strangers – traded for: drugs, alcohol, other stolen property
- Crime analysis: similar MOs, crime patterns

Front 17

characteristics of the typical vehicle theft

Back 17

- 82% reported, 18% unreported
- 14% cleared, 86% uncleared
- Mostly over 18, under 25, white male

Front 18

What leads should an investigator follow to solve an auto theft

Back 18

- Interviews: victims, neighbors, witnesses, informants
- Physical evidence: obtain ignition code, duplicate ignition key, hot wire vehicle, open steering column, use ‘bump and run”, tow the vehicle, pay parking lot attendant for key, steal key from lot attendant, find keys in ignition, find spare key in vehicle, find unattended vehicle running
- Motivations for theft: joyride-juveniles, profit: sell outright, sell overseas, sell over border, sell parts
- Location of theft: public street, owner’s property, parking lots: downtown, shopping, malls, college lots

Front 19

characteristics of the typical arsonist

Back 19

- 17% cleared, 83% uncleared
- Most common structures: vehicles, single-family homes
- Mostly white males, under 25

Front 20

causes of fires and leads to follow in arson investigation

Back 20

- Causes: natural, accidental, suspicious [natural or accidental], incendiary-deliberate, unknown
- Use of witness: victim, witnesses, firefighters, informants
- Point of origin: fire pattern, v-shape, heat source, burn materials, deepest char, laying of materials
- Physical evidence: accelerants, burned materials, unburned materials
- Considerations when solving arsons: express anger or revenge, act of vandalism, for profit, act of terrorism, destroy evidence of other crime, emotional satisfaction-pyromaniac, sexual gratification

Front 21

characteristics of the typical theft and thief

Back 21

- 18% cleared, 82% uncleared
- White male over 18

Front 22

leads an investigator should follow to solve a theft

Back 22

- Interviews: victims, witnesses, neighbors, informants
- Physical evidence: when applicable – fingerprints, bloodstains, broken glass, tool marks, ransacking

Front 23

various types of fraud and the leads the investigator should follow

Back 23

- Little details about nature and extent
- Often treated as a part II crime

Front 24

characteristics of battery today including clearance rates, motives, demographics of victims/offenders, and considerations in solving them

Back 24

- Battery: Unlawful attack by one person upon another for purpose of inflicting bodily injury [simple or aggravated]
- Most common violent index crime
- Typical victims are: young, male, African American
- Motives: personal—domestics, relatives, acquantices___impersonal—fights between strangers
- Accompany other crimes—robberies, muggings
- Clearance rates: 55% cleared – most victims know offender
- Interviews: victim, witnesses, ambulance personnel, medical personnel, informants
- Physical evidence: fingerprint, blood, physical injuries, weapons
- Other evidence: medical reports, photograph of injuries, surveillance tapes, media/tip lines

Front 25

characteristics of robbery today including locations, clearance rates, and demographics of victims/offenders

Back 25

- Robbery: taking or attempting to take anything of value from another by force or threat of force
- Most robberies occur on the street
- Victims are usually males between 17 and 24
- Victims usually do not know their offender, mostly no weapon used
- Clearance rates: 28% cleared, 74% uncleared

Front 26

considerations for investigators when solving robberies

Back 26

- Interviews: victim, witnesses, ambulance personnel, medical personnel, informants [sudden income, goods to sell], arrested persons [possess stolen property]
- Physical evidence: fingerprints [cash register, entry/exit, dropped items], blood physical injuries, weapons [ballistics], shoe prints, stolen property
- Other evidence: medical reports, photograph of injuries, composite pictures, surveillance tapes, media/tip line, modus operandi
- Best chance to solve:
- Robbery in progress: victim/witness report, burglar alarms
- These are dangerous calls for police: must approach with caution, must observe persons/vehicles leaving area
- Remember breaking one robbery case may lead to breaking several others

Front 27

forcible rape/sexual assault

Back 27

- Rape/Sexual Assault: carnal knowledge of one person on another against their will
- Other terms and forms: forcible rape, sexual battery, criminal sexual conduct, indecent assault, lewd or lascivious behavior, statutory rape

Front 28

characteristics of rape today including how committed, clearance rates, and demographics of victims/offenders

Back 28

- 60 % unreported – public notification: no confidence in police, see criminal justice system as unsympathetic
- 41% cleared
- Victims: mostly females between 16 and 20 years of age, unmarried, 38% injured, 67% know offender
- Interviews: victim, suspects, witnesses, medical personnel
- Physical evidence: rape kits, fingerprints, blood, semen, physical injuries, bite marks, clothing, bedding/furniture, weapons, stolen property
- Other evidence: medical reports, photograph of injuries, composite pictures, crime analysis

Front 29

method of sexual assault investigation including forensic evidence gathering, methods of interviewing victims, and methods of interviewing

Back 29

- Victim interview—general considerations
- Interview should be: tactful, sincere, compassionate, supportive, calm, sensitive
- Have only one interviewer present
- Provide female interviewer if requested
- Conduct interview in absolute privacy [recommended loved ones not be present]
- Encourage victim to seek medical attention
- Provide victim’s advocate if agency employs them
- Limit the number of interview sessions
- Victim interview—Acquaintance rapes
- Determine identity of suspect
- Determine relationship of victim to suspect to determine sequence of events—focus questions on issues related to whether sexual acts were consensual
- Recommend forensic examination in case issue become whether or not sexual activity occurred—often physical evidence is not useful except if physical injuries occurred or if suspect denies sexual activity occurred
- Victim interview—Stranger-to-stranger rapes
- Determine description of suspect
- Determine sequence of events
- Determine char

Front 30

types of homicide and the different degrees of homicide

Back 30

- Homicide: killing of one human being by another – could be intentional, accidental, negligence, self-defense
- Justifiable homicide: killing in self-defense or defense of another
- Excusable homicide: killing without intent or negligence
- Degrees of homicide:
- Murder: unlawful killing of one human by another
Malice, premeditation, deliberation
- Manslaughter:
Voluntary – heat of passion
Involuntary – reckless or negligent
State Attorney determines charges against suspect

Front 31

Identify the different motives for homicide

Back 31

- 1/3 are arguments
- 1/3 unknkown

Front 32

characteristics of homicide today including how committed, clearance rates, and demographics of victims/offenders

Back 32

- Victim: 70% between 17 and 44, 34% between 20 and 29, 77% male
- Close to half know their assailant
- 33% of female victims killed by husband/boyfriend
- 3% of male victims killed by wife/girlfriend
- Method: 2/3 use guns
- Offender: 50-50 whites and African Americans, Adult males
- Clearance rates: 62% cleared

Front 33

Identify four manners in which people die

Back 33

1. Natural
2. Accidental
3. Homicide
4. Suicide

Front 34

ways to identify a victim of homicide (9)

Back 34

1. Family, friends, neighbors
2. Personal effects – wallets/purses, identification cards, jewelry
3. Fingerprints
4. Scars/Tattoos/Marks
5. DNA – blood, tissue, skeletal
6. Clothing – laundry labels, initials, recognizable
7. Dental records – x-rays, fillings
8. Photographs – local news media
9. Skeletal remains – old fractures, metal screws/plates, facial reconstruction

Front 35

types of evidence an investigator should look for when dealing with the following types of deaths: Firearms:

Back 35

- Check for entry/exit wounds
- Check blood spatter
- Check gun powder remains (wipe ring or smudging and tattooing)

Front 36

types of evidence an investigator should look for when dealing with the following types of deaths: Cutting instruments:

Back 36

- Check for defense wounds
- Check for hesitation marks
- Check for blood spatter
- Check wounds
- Suicide: deep entry to shallow end
- Homicide: deep start to finish

Front 37

types of evidence an investigator should look for when dealing with the following types of deaths: Strangulation/Smothering:

Back 37

- Check for petechial hemorrhaging
- Check for ligature imprint
- Check for manual imprint
- Check for signs of struggle/victim’s nails
- Check for sexual paraphernalia – autoerotic asphyxia

Front 38

types of evidence an investigator should look for when dealing with the following types of deaths: Lacerations:

Back 38

- Check for irregular wounds
- Check for clubs, bats, pipes, and the infamous “blunt object”

Front 39

types of evidence an investigator should look for when dealing with the following types of deaths: Hanging:

Back 39

- Check for rope and knots
- Check for signs of struggle

Front 40

explain the indicators used to estimate time of death

Back 40

1. Body Temperature:
- Drops 1.5 – 2 degrees each hour
- Body type, clothing and environment affect it
2. Livor Mortis:
- Gravity causes blood to settle
- Causes purplish color
- Begins in 2 hours
- Complete in 8 to 12 hours
- May indicate if body was moved
3. Rigor Mortis:
- Stiffening of muscles
- Fully established in 12 hours
- Begins to disappear in 24 hours
- Completely gone in 60 hours
4. Potassium levels:
- Fluid inside eyeball
5. Decomposition:
- Affected by environment – speeds up in heat, slows down in cold
- Changes occur over several days
- Insect activity occurs – life cycle of insects is predictable (blowflies), call in forensic entomologist
6. Stomach contents:
- Level of digestion can indicate when last meal was eaten